Rare in-bounds avalanche at Alta briefly traps four skiers

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Authorities confirmed Tuesday that four skiers, one more than earlier reported, were briefly partially buried before escaping an in-bounds avalanche at the Alta Ski Resort.

Bruce Tremper of the Utah Avalanche Center said the foursome, who were not hurt, are believed to have triggered the 3-foot deep, 100-foot wide slide in Little Cottonwood Canyon just before noon Monday.

The slide occurred in the Spot Slot above the 10,300-foot High Traverse area at the resort.

"Fortunately everyone is fine," Tremper stated. "In-bounds avalanches like this are extremely rare due to the hard work by the best avalanche teams in the country here in Utah, who are out every morning knocking down avalanches with explosives before the public arrives."

Alta spokesperson Connie Marshall earlier said that Collins lift at Alta was shut down following the avalanche, but it opened later Monday afternoon when conditions were confirmed safe. Operations continued normally Tuesday.